Christmas Trees Around the World

This was sent to me by the CHL Supervisor of Officials. I don't think he realizes my connection with the great state of Maine. Nor did he know that one of my mother's friends participated with the volunteer program by getting on a bus and heading south to help out.

Before the ball drops in Times Square, the Big Apple turns on its holiday charm with the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.


The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling
evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 U.S. states.

The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes
of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region.
Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city


A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo's nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.

Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square,
and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous
Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic.

Venice 's Murano Island renowned throughout the world
for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.

Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical
troika with the Snow Maiden.

He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.

The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall)
can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal.
Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special
enchantment of the city during the holiday season.

'Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree': Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.

Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws
more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower

In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.

The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol
is dressed for a party. Madrid's two-week celebration makes
millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery.


A token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II,
the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been
the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.

Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer Frankfurt's city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.

Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of
Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).

CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY
I wonder why the press hasn't enlightened the public about it??

Arlington National Cemetery

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.

Know the line has held, your job is done.

Rest easy, sleep well.

Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.

Peace, peace, and farewell...

Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington,Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

NPR moment

Ahh...food for thought. All the years of arguing with parents about sleeping arrangements. Or being scared that Skip was going to come tearing into the room with a shotgun....

Those uncomfortable tendencies are left behind us now we both wear a ring on our left hand. Though the fear still exists. Take, for instance, our holiday at home last year:

Hope, to Seth as she climbs into bed with him at her family farm in Norridgewock, "Seth, why are you still fully dressed?"

Seth, to Hope...deadpan, "If your Dad comes into this room and finds me sleeping with you, it makes for a faster and warmer escape through the snowy fields."

Hope, surprised, "But we are married now!"

-------------------------------------------------

Today on NPR, they had a call in show about sleeping arrangements for the holidays. Nephews getting kicked out of the room, dating couples not being allowed to share a room...you know the story.

I remember those days!

And it dawns on me that the fuss and frustration I created at my family's house will "soon" be transferred to me when Emi comes home with her significant other.

I want to be the parent that is ok with his daughter becoming sexually active when she is older (I say this as I reach for the shotgun...) but I'm afraid of becoming the parent who will never be able to handle his baby having anything to do with...shh...s...e...x....

It's funny how the Advent of parenthood changes your perspective across such a broad spectrum of topics. The prospect of travelling changes massively. Be it a simple trip into the mountains to see friends (it's snowing, it's not worth the risk of getting hit with Emi on board) to travelling home and trying to figure out what to pack. Or even how to diaper her for the days we are home (we use cloth but Hope thinks we will be better off using disposables while we are back in Maine).

Parental decisions. And then, someday down the road, we are going to get saddled with, "Dad, I'm bringing XXX home from school for Thanksgiving. Can XXX and I share my room?"

And my answer? "Sure Emi. As long as XXX understands that the trundle bed is comfortable and that I will be camped out on the floor with my shotgun between the two of you."

Deep breaths.

I'm a Dad now....

Travel

Our plans are finally solidified for our trip home.

We head off to Maine on Sunday. Amidst what appears to be a snowstorm rolling into the east coast seaboard.

Lovely.

Gibson is off to Camp Stacy (our breeder) where I am sure he will certainly lose his appetite for food and focus only on his lust for his girlfriends who reside at said camp.

We are looking forward to boarding up our house for a couple of weeks and heading off to see family and friends. We have 2 Christmas' planned (one at each house) along with my family's New Year's Day party.

If anyone wants to come up, let me know. Shrimp is served at 1.

I'm looking forward to seeing Mister Balllldwin and eating one of his scrumptious meals. Not to mention meeting his friend of the feminine persuasion (I was convinced it was more likely that we would elect an African American to the presidential post than for him to find a girlfriend...we got both!). And to seeing our Reverend Fibby. We've missed a great deal this year and we think we finally have something that may lure her out to visit us in Colorado. Emiko is fantastic bait for things like that!

And to all my friend's who have graciously spent time reading the blog, happy holidays to all!

Automotive ruin

Chrysler claims it is shutting down production for four weeks due to the current economic crisis.

No.

a. Nobody wants to buy their shitty cars. Honda and Toyota continue to be successful.
b. People are still buying cars, they just are choosing to spend their money on more economical and reliable cars (see a.).
c. Chrysler shuts down for 2 weeks every year. Don't use the additional 2 week shutdown as loosely veiled propaganda as to why the US government needs to bail you out. The public is far smarter than that these days. I hope.

That's all. Sorry for the profanity Mom.

Preparation Part Deux

Preparation...

The evening I wrote the last "Preparation" post, I was getting ready for a big game. And I found myself chuckling quietly as I was getting ready.

You see, I decided to relace my skates. CC was playing Air Force and I wanted to make sure I was looking my best for the game. So I was putting in new laces. And as I relaced my skates, I realized I had found my idiosyncrasy.

Each skate is reverse laced perfectly. For those of you not in the know, rather than threading the lace through the bottom of the hole, I prefer my skates to be laced from the outside in. This locks the lace in place against the tongue as you tighten your boot and ensures that the skate does not become loose as you skate.

Additionally, I dress each lace so it is perfectly flat against the tongue of my skate. If it twists, I find you are more likely to end up with hot spots or, worse, lace bite. I once had lace bite so bad that just my pants resting against the bridge of my ankles was pure torture. Putting my skates on became pure hell.

And finally, when relacing my skates, I always lace them so the lace coming from the outside crosses over the top of the lace coming from the inside.

It's the little things!